The ZTE Racer II and LG Optimus G LS970 represent different eras of Android smartphones. The Racer II was a budget-friendly option, while the Optimus G aimed for a more premium experience. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see how these phones stack up today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The LG Optimus G LS970 decisively wins this comparison. Its significantly more powerful Snapdragon chipset, better display, and improved camera offer a vastly superior user experience compared to the underpowered ZTE Racer II. The Racer II's only advantage is potentially its lower price (if found).
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 | CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| 4G bands | - | 25 |
| Speed | HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps | EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, LTE, HSPA |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, August. Released 2011, September | 2012, October. Released 2012, Q4 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 104 x 55.4 x 13.5 mm (4.09 x 2.18 x 0.53 in) | 131.9 x 68.9 x 8.5 mm (5.19 x 2.71 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 100 g (3.53 oz) | 144.9 g (5.08 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density) | 768 x 1280 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~318 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~42.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 62.9 cm2 (~69.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | True HD-IPS + LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 500 MHz ARM 11 | Qualcomm APQ8064 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 |
| GPU | - | Adreno 320 |
| OS | Android 2.2 (Froyo) | Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 256MB 512MB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 3.15 MP | 13 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 1.3 MP |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Optional | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | MP4/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 166 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 35 min | Up to 13 h |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1100 mAh battery | Non-removable Li-Po 2100 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 480 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.26 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) |
ZTE Racer II
- Very affordable (if found)
- Compact size
- Extremely slow performance
- Low-resolution display
- Poor camera quality
- Limited storage
- Outdated software
LG Optimus G LS970
- Significantly faster performance
- Better display quality
- Improved camera
- More storage options
- Larger battery
- Older device
- Limited software updates
- Battery life may be degraded with age
Display Comparison
The LG Optimus G boasts a 4.7-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1280 x 768 pixels, offering a sharper and more vibrant viewing experience. The ZTE Racer II has a smaller 3.8-inch LCD screen with a lower resolution (480 x 800), resulting in a noticeably less detailed image. The Optimus G's display is the clear winner.
Camera Comparison
The LG Optimus G features an 8MP rear camera with autofocus and LED flash, capable of capturing decent photos in good lighting conditions. The ZTE Racer II has a 3.2MP rear camera, which produces noticeably lower-quality images. The Optimus G's camera is the clear winner in terms of image quality and features.
Performance
This is where the Optimus G truly shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 APQ8064 chipset with a Krait CPU and Adreno 320 GPU provides significantly more processing power than the ZTE Racer II's 500 MHz ARM 11 processor. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Optimus G. The Racer II struggles with even basic tasks.
Battery Life
The LG Optimus G has a 1500mAh battery, while the ZTE Racer II has an 1150mAh battery. While battery life is heavily dependent on usage, the Optimus G's larger battery and more efficient processor generally provide longer usage times.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Racer II is only suitable for users with extremely limited budgets and minimal smartphone needs. The LG Optimus G LS970, while older, is a better choice for anyone seeking a usable Android experience, even if it's for basic tasks or as a secondary device. Consider its age and software support limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Racer II still worth buying?
Generally no. Its performance is severely outdated, and there are better budget options available even today. Only consider it if you absolutely need a very small and extremely cheap phone for basic calling and texting.
❓ Can I find software updates for the LG Optimus G?
Official software updates have ceased for the LG Optimus G. However, custom ROMs may be available from the Android developer community, offering newer Android versions and features, but with potential risks.
